Hugging the left bank of the Marne River, Epernay is an attractive city synonymous with the production of champagne. Its Avenue de Champagne is home to Moët et Chandon and Perrier-Jouët while 200-year-old cellar tunnels snake their way below the streets. On the outskirts of Epernay lie the vineyard-blanketed landscapes of Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims.
Things to do in Épernay
Stroll along the Avenue de Champagne to admire Epernay’s elegant mansions, many of which were built for legendary champagne houses. Join a guided tour to explore Moët et Chandon’s 28 kilometres of underground cellars while learning why the tunnels’ steady temperatures are beneficial for the fermentation process. At the end of your tour, enjoy a guided tasting of the house specialties.
To learn more about Epernay’s links to winemaking, visit the Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum, which occupies the Louis XIII-style Château Perrier. Its exhibits explore the landscape and geology of the region, the history of human settlement in Epernay and the various stages of champagne production. Paintings, sculptures and decorative arts gifted by some of Epernay’s most renowned collectors are also exhibited.
Epernay makes an ideal base for exploring Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims, which encompasses vineyard-covered hillsides, wildlife-rich wetlands and large tracts of forest. It’s an idyllic destination for hiking and cycling, with stunning views across the Vallee de la Marne and the slopes of the Montagne de Reims.
Getting around Épernay
Epernay is around 30 minutes’ drive from Reims and just under two hours from the centre of Paris and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Regular trains connect to the Epernay railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Epernay is compact enough to explore on foot.